OTR Owner operators & Co. Fleets

[stresslessone]

Does anyone currently do OTR trucks? If so, should an owner operators insurance have windshield repair coverage as 4 wheelers do? Also, I would like to know if you do any fleet repairs for the company drivers from a coast to coast company like CFI, JB Hunt. Thanks for any replies

[GlassStarz]

No thier insurance doesnt cover it but the DOT ticket for a broken windshield is big so they usually choose to repair if they have the time

[maxryde]

stresslessone, the market on logistics outfits is a good one. You have to be flexible with your schedule and price is an issue too, (they tend to get replacement glass real cheap). The having 20 0r 50 or more vehicles in a row with work to do on them allows you to offer a rate reduction while still making a good dollar at the same time. Some states have stringent requirements when it comes to repair so you'll need to do your homework on what to repair for whom. I have a few accts of this kind and when the bad weather hits it is nice when they have an indoor location for me to work in!!! Good luck. Scott

[GFD77]

Maxryde,

how did you get these acct's?

gfd77

[CPR]

First thing, do you have a large fleet or truck stop near you? If you do go in and try to sell yourself, most likely they will have someone in place. Your sales angle would be "available" anytime, fleets want the work done NOW. Give them your number and see if they call you when the regular cannot, this will be your audition and if you repairs stand out they may call you in the future.
For truck stops just go fishing and see what happens, get a cheap cb radio and advertise. For the most part O-O's will be your only customers, company drivers wont spend their cash. I had luck with a Swift dispatcher who was willing to tell their drivers that I was available at the Flying J in Fort Pierce, FL if they needed a repair. These guys are mostly O-O's with leased trucks, I don't get much work out of them to justify "being available".

[maxryde]

GFD77, I approach each one and feel them out a bit, I usually go in the afternoon and ask if the person who is in charge of their vehicle maintenance is in. If they are there I ask where I can find them. I usually try to get face to face with that individual and some times it can be hard. The secretaries are used to running interference for them as they get allot of sales folks and could spend all their time dealing with BS if they are not careful. I will some times tell the girl who is trying to blow me off that while I don't have an appointment that Jim or whoever will want to see me as what I do saves your company a great deal of money and Jim needs to have an opportunity to see what I can do for your company!! "I'm here to perform a courtesy repair so Jim will be able to make an informed decision on weather or not we will be able to do business". I try to come off in this approach as though I have an appointment with out committing myself as having said so. What they assume is their bit and while I may have influenced their thinking that way I in no way misrepresented myself! The contracts are very good and can take some doing to get but I have found them to be very rewarding so worth the effort. I do some regional outfits and national too so like I said before a person needs to know what regulations the customer